Tesla Motors, which last year discontinued production of its battery-electric Tesla Roadster in the U.S., will make the final versions of this model available this year in Europe, Asia and Australia before the company's Model S sedan becomes available there.

Tesla will offer the model in three new colors in those markets and will add features such as improved air conditioning, Xenon headlamps for better night visibility and improved performance in snow and ice, the company said in a statement Wednesday. Tesla has sold more than 2,100 units in 31 countries since launching the $109,000-model in 2008.

Tesla wrapped up Roadster sales in the U.S. as it prepared to start selling the Model S this year. The Model S, which will have the longest range between charges of any mass-produced electric vehicle when it goes on sale, will be offered with three range options: 160 miles, 230 miles and 300 miles. In the United States, the Tesla Model S with the 160-mile range starts at $57,400 (which drops to $49,900 after the U.S. federal tax credit). The 230-mile Model S starts about $10,000 higher and the 300-mile Model S starts at about $20,000 higher than the base.

Tesla, which is also working on a crossover vehicle now called Model X, will launch a completely redesigned Roadster in late 2014, Autocar reported in October. The company, which went public in 2010, doubled its revenue for the first nine months of last year from a year earlier to $164.9 million, though it also widened its loss by 68 percent to $172.9 million.

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Tesla Updates Iconic Roadster for 2012 in Limited Markets

PALO ALTO, California, January 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Latest Roadster offers innovations and options for Europe and Asia

Tesla Motors announced today that the iconic Tesla Roadster is now available with innovations and options, but only in limited markets. The last version of the historic, limited-production electric supercar will only be available in Europe, Asia and Australia.

"The Tesla Roadster is the first and only of its kind: an electric sports car with exhilarating performance, zero emissions and gorgeous looks," said Tesla Vice President of Communications, Ricardo Reyes. "This latest version embodies Tesla's commitment to constant improvement. These Roadsters are our best ever."

New options and enhanced features of the updated Roadster include:

Exclusive encore colors - Cosmic Black, Galactic Gray and Magma Orange - with new, complimentary interior colors
A rear snow cover and improved motor and inverter systems for even better performance in snow and ice
Improved air conditioning for driver comfort in the hottest months
Xenon headlamps ideal for rural night driving
Enhanced front windscreen seals to make the cabin even quieter
Two new Mobile Connectors available for charging in Europe and Japan
The Tesla IEC Type 2 (Mennekes) Mobile Connector enables charging from Type 2 stations and outlets, the most common EV charging infrastructure in Europe
The J1772 Mobile Connector enables charging from a developing infrastructure of public J1772 charge stations in Japan

Updated Roadsters are available now in Europe, Asia and Australia, while they last.

Over 2100 current Roadster owners in at least 31 countries have logged more than 18 million electric miles - and counting.

About Tesla

Tesla's goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars. Palo Alto, California based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV power train components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler. Tesla has delivered more than 2,100 Roadsters to customers worldwide. Model S, the first premium sedan to be built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, begins deliveries in mid-2012.